‘Danger junction’ was raised as safety issue
A‘ DANGEROUS’ junction where a motorcyclist died had been raised as a safety concern to Cheshire East Council more than 12 months ago.
Road markings at Macclesfield’s busy Ivy LaneCongleton Road crossroads largely disappeared some time ago, say local councillors.
Of particular concern are those indicating where cars waiting to turn right from Ivy Lane to Congleton Road should position themselves as there is also no filter, which makes this manoeuvre difficult.
An online petition demanding action at the junction has attracted more than 3,000 signatures in a less than a week.
Councillor Nick Mannion, member for Macclesfield West and Ivy, is among those to have previously raised concerns.
These include that the junction itself needs ‘remodelling’ to cope with the volume of traffic it takes – possibly to become a roundabout.
Coun Mannion said: “I have raised concerns with the junction, especially the issue the road markings have completely worn out and need replacing several times.
“It is more than 12 months I have been banging on about it.
“The junction is not fit for purpose and needs remodelling to improve capacity.”
He added that Cheshire East has indicated work will be done but he has received ‘no guarantees what work will be done and when’.
Henbury Parish Councillor Richard Slater says Cheshire East Council owns land around the junction that would enable it to be made into a roundabout.
He said: “When turning right from Ivy Lane to Congleton Road there is no filter and the road markings are all worn off.
“There are no markings to show you where you should be.
“It is ridiculous. It (the junction) is very dangerous and that is a widely held perception.
“People jump across the lights, even in a car you are concerned.
“It is a junction that needs action.”
After Thursday’s tragedy users of the junction also commented on its dangers via Facebook.
Among them was Oliver Gould, who said: “We need to force the council to do something about the junction.
“The timing of the lights changing is very poor causing people to wait on a red light to turn or being trapped by oncoming traffic witch is on green.”
Councillor Don Stockton, cabinet member for highways at Cheshire East, said: “We are very sorry to hear this sad news [of the biker’s death]
“We are unable to comment, at this stage, on matters relating to the incident as there’s currently a police investigation as well as a coroner’s inquest pending.”